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Communication connectors having switchable electrical performance characteristics

  • US 9,793,663 B2
  • Filed: 02/02/2016
  • Issued: 10/17/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A communication plug for use with a cable, a first corresponding communication outlet, and a second corresponding communication outlet, the cable comprising a plurality of wires, the first corresponding communication outlet being configured to mate with the communication plug to form a first connection therewith, the second corresponding communication outlet being configured to mate with the communication plug to form a second connection therewith, the second corresponding communication outlet comprising at least one aperture, the communication plug comprising:

  • a substrate comprising a plurality of plated through-holes, a plurality of circuit paths, and a plurality of contact pads, each of the plurality of plated through-holes being configured to receive a corresponding one of the plurality of wires,a plurality of plug contacts mounted on the substrate, a different one of the plurality of circuit paths connecting each of the plurality of plug contacts to a different one of the plurality of plated through-holes, the plurality of contact pads comprising a different contact pad corresponding to each of the plurality of plug contacts, at least a portion of the plurality of contact pads being connected to one or more coupling elements, each of the plurality of plug contacts being positioned to contact the contact pad corresponding to the plug contact; and

    an insulator comprising an insulating portion and at least one projection, the insulating portion being adjacent the plurality of contact pads, the at least one projection being configured to transition the insulator from a first one of an insulating position and a non-insulating position to a different second one of the insulating position and the non-insulating position, the insulating portion of the insulator insulating the plurality of contact pads from the plurality of plug contacts when the insulator is in the insulating position, the plurality of plug contacts contacting the plurality of contact pads when the insulator is in the non-insulating position,the first corresponding communication outlet pressing against the at least one projection when the first corresponding communication outlet is mated with the communication plug thereby causing the at least one projection to automatically transition the insulator, andthe at least one projection being received inside the at least one aperture of the second corresponding communication outlet when the second corresponding communication outlet is mated with the communication plug such that the second corresponding communication outlet avoids pressing against the at least one projection and avoids causing the at least one projection to transition the insulator.

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